You might have wanted to go online shopping, but you weren’t too sure about whether your credit card number and information would be safe. This article can help you with that, but it can also open up the world of online shopping like you have never seen before. Keep reading for some great shopping tips.
A good online shopping tip to remember is to leave feedback after buying from a source you’ve never bought from before. This will help both of you because you’ll remember whether or not you’ve had a good experience from them, and they will also gain a reputation as a seller.
Before buying from a new online retailer, do some research on them. Check online reviews from other customers to see how it handles items like customer service, shipping, and its overall buying experience. You can also check the BBB to see if it has any disputes and whether those disputes were resolved professionally. Try contacting the company via email and phone number, if it’s posted to ask questions about its business before you buy anything.
If you are thinking about buying from a company that you have not done business with before, look up customer reviews online. Doing this will help provide a general idea of the quality of products you can expect to receive. If the seller has consistent low ratings, keep away.
Before going to a particular website to shop, be sure to look for coupon codes. Websites like www.retailmenot.com offer codes you can enter when you are about to checkout. Some of these coupon codes will take money off your whole purchase while others will give you discounted or free shipping.
Make sure you understand who is responsible if an item gets damaged during shipment when shopping online. Some retailers will be responsible for this, while others put it on the shipping company. Make sure you know who to contact and who is responsible if items are damages or need to be returned.
The world of online shopping is vast, which is why it is important that you do not hastily make purchases. If you find an item that you like, take your time to explore other retailers who also sell that same item. You might find it at a lower price on a different site.
Many of us have a favorite store – are you following your favorite store on Facebook and Twitter? If not, you should be! Companies often announce special offers or sales via social media sites, and by checking their Facebook page or Twitter account regularly, you may find some good deals that you otherwise would have missed out on.
Refurbished can also refer to inventory surplus. The description of the item should tell you whether it’s been repaired or it was part of an overstock. Looking for refurbished items or surplus is a great way to find some deals.
Pay close attention to the shipping method you are selecting. Unless it is a dire emergency and you need to have something in a day or two, the standard shipping is adequate. There is no need to pay a lot for the two or three day shipping when you will have your order in four to five days.
The privacy policy is there for your protection. Though the jargon may seem convoluted, the privacy policy for a shopping site will let you know how your personal information is handled. Will your personal data and payment information be stored with the merchant? Will data be shared with third parties? This is information you should know before giving personal info.
Be careful with your credit card data. Be sure to shop only on secure sites. Look for a padlock icon at the lower right hand corner of the payment page. Check next to the URL to find this icon.
When you buy from an online merchant, try to combine your purchases together into one shipment. Shipping costs can be high if you are just buying one or two items, sometimes as high as the price of the item. If you buy many things during the same shopping session, the shipping cost is more cost effective.
When making an online purchase, only provide the minimum information required from you. This information is often denoted with an asterisk and typically includes your name, address, and payment information. Leave all optional fields blank. This optional information is often used by companies to study demographics, but could also lead to spam messages or other unwanted solicitation.
A lot of retailers online allow you to get something shipped from site to store. If the online store you are purchasing from has brick and mortar locations, see if they offer free site to store shipping. By picking your items up in the store, you can save on the shipping cost.
Change your password on retail sites frequently. Just as with any online site, there is no absolute security. Sites are hacked everyday. Do your best to change your passwords often and to provide the minimum information you possibly can. You might even put a false address on file until you plan to make a purchase.
Now that you have had time to really understand that online shopping is not only possible but it is safe, you can start to see why it is so well-liked. Apply the tips to your own shopping experiences and you’ll start to be thrilled about the money you can save and the things you can get. Good luck!
